Men's Soccer

MEN'S SOCCER: Cardinals let one slip away late

10/11/2018

With control of their destiny, the men headed to Wenatchee on Wednesday. The Knights and the Cardinals each had 13 points and were in a tie for third going into the game, and the game opened that way as well. Though Wenatchee may have gotten into the attacking third a bit more in the opening minutes, most of the first half was played in the middle third. Isaiah Damschen had a few saves early for the Cardinals, and it was 0-0 at the half. As the second half wore on, the home team started to get hotter and hotter as the game got more and more open. Though NIC often won the ball in good spots to counter, they really struggled to connect the right pass getting into the attacking third. When they did, their first touch failed them too often. Finally in the 80th minute, the Knights took the lead on a header by Greysen Gilman. Cristian Barajas delivered the corner for the lead. Needing a goal late, the Cardinals took more and more risks, and Damschen kept the ball out of the net. His save of a one on one was followed up by an extension save. Minutes later he saved another one on one. Though NIC won some free kicks and broke through the Knights’ back line a few times late, the couldn’t convert for the equalizer.

With three games left, the Cardinals have little margin for error to make the playoffs. They travel to Columbia Basin Wednesday for their final road game of league play.